Meet George Herrera

We were lucky to catch up with George Herrera recently and have shared our conversation below.

George, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

This question coming out of 14 years of active military service was a tough one for me. I fell into conversations where needing to redefine who I was and what I was going to do (accomplish) next in my life, seemed to be the main topic. After 14 years of military service and not meeting my goal; to retire like my father with at least 23 years of honorable service,

As Veterans we tackle tough situations. We are able to do accomplish more because of our teamwork and leadership mentalities. Initiated through boot-camp while learning to march together, we become as one team. I learned to value teamwork and collaboration. Leaving the service and finding my new “purpose” was tough because everything I did, I was doing it all alone, or so I thought.

Prior to my military service my parents raised us in the church and every place we were stationed we always seemed to find our community and provided many acts of service in serving others. I learned service as a child. It was a seed planted very early. Somewhere through my own active military service I lost that way of thinking. Instead I started to believe that I was the reason great things happened and somehow made it about me. I think that is why it was so much harder finding my renewed purpose when I transitioned out.

After several years of trying to do it on my own and getting mixed up with the same type of crowd who were just as lost; I finally made the one decision which I hold up as being lifechanging. I got back into church. In doing so, I was once again reminded that my purpose was and has always been to bring others to God by living out my life as best he did. I was reminded that when I began doing again for others it had an even greater effect on me and my life. Things began to change for the better and I found a new trajectory for my life and career with this change.

I’ve always had a servant’s heart, it was planted from an early age because of my parents. It was when I re-aligned my heart back to serving others that I once again found my purpose. It is defining what that niche would be and I did not venture far from working with Veterans and those currently serving. Sharing of information within the Veteran network is where I thrive. Communicating this information while helping others is purpose enough for me, and I’ve found a way to make a new career out of it while working at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Saint Louis.

I have found that my purpose was something I was raised in. My purpose is God given and only by his grace can I continue to live out my purpose in helping and supporting others.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

With over 9 years working with Veterans post military active service. 3 years with the Veterans Benefits Administration, 2 years working as a College Veteran program Director, 3 years in the Veterans non-profit sector, and currently serving in the VA Medical Center; I’ve learned so many different tools that most Veterans are not instructed or educated on. Helping Veterans better understand the VA system and how to manage through some of the Veteran specific questions is where I find myself daily. Unfortunately, I’ve also seen our Veteran culture segregate itself.

Several Veterans within my close circle had also seen this same segregation which has been occurring within the Veteran non profits and through types of disability. It is our belief that this is because we are all part of a national culture that defines itself by the various groups we place ourselves in. We decided to create a non-profit that holds a once a year Veterans Ball. The reason was to reunite all Veterans back to a family of service members who pledged at some point in our lives to serve our nation. We were stronger together and were all focused in helping and providing for one another.

It is our belief that we can once again instill that same character by refocusing on what each of us stood for and why each of us served. We are called the STL Veterans Ball and we hope to grow this out into other areas of the country as we bring Veterans, family members and community together for a night of camaraderie, tradition and fun. https://stlveteransball.org/

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Speaking up
2. Asking for support
3. Knowing it is ok to not have all the answers

As a newly transitioned or in transition service member, reach out to the local VA or your local Veteran non profit group. Ask questions and seek out assistance. Remember you are working with people and not every person will have the correct response but keep asking. Don’t give up!

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

I attempt to live my life on an even keel. I try not to let anything shake my foundation. When and if there is trouble on the horizon, I feel compelled to get outdoors or to get in a good walk or work out. I must do something that takes me out of my own thoughts and places me in a challenging mindset. Only then do I see my issue with a new perspective. Most often times am I drawn to a song or prayer that helps me to remember that it’s not for me to worry about but to do what I can and let it be.

Easier said than done however, it seems to always work out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stlveteransball.org/